Check out all of our products > Red Wines From Lightest to Boldest (Chart) Identify similar tasting red wines based on their intensity from lightest to boldest. The Spectrum of Boldness in Red Wines Just 32 red wine varieties make up a majority of the wine available in the international market. If all red wines were placed on this chart, there would be hundreds! This chart interprets the range of styles available in dry red wine. Although it’s possible to find a wine that doesn’t line up exactly as depicted, the chart can help explain that certain wines will always be lighter-bodied than others. Where does boldness in wine come from? A combination of several fundamental traits in wine define how bold it is. For example, the tannin level in wine is one of the indications of boldness, and so is high alcohol. On the lighter side, you’ll typically see wines with lower alcohol, less tannin and higher acidity. Another common way to identify a wine’s position in the spectrum has to do with its dominant fruit characteristics:

Wines with red fruit flavors tend to be lighter bodied Wines with black fruit flavors tend to be fuller bodied Interesting Things About Climate and Wine Grapes The fascinating thing about wine grapes is the wide range of climates in which they can grow. However, you’ll notice that certain varieties grow only in cool climates and vice versa. This chart shows us several red wine varieties and the climate types they prefer. Jones et all 2006 Here are a few useful takeaways from this chart: Pinot Noir does not appear to grow alongside Cabernet Sauvignon We can expect Cabernet Franc to have higher stylistic range based its ability to grow in varied climates. Merlot can grow in cooler climates than Cabernet Sauvignon Bolder wine varieties tend to grow in warmer climates Lighter-bodied wine varieties tend to grow in cooler climates Now that we know that certain grape varieties grow best in certain types of climates, let’s take a closer look at which wine regions are cool climate and which are warm climate on a map of the world.

Warm Climate vs. Cool Climate Wine RegionsTo simplify the concept of wine sweetness, you can compare wines on this chart. Although not all wine conform to the generalizations within, you can still learn a great deal about how to find wine in the sweetness range you prefer. Some wines are so dry that they scrape the moisture from your tongue and make the inside of your mouth stick to your teeth. best wine sold at targetOn the other end of the spectrum, some wines are so sweet that they stick to the sides of your glass like motor oil.the top 100 wines of 2012 Why Some Dry Wines Taste More Dry Than Otherswine in india cost Wine writers have put words to the concept of dryness for years and food scientists have actually studied why some wines taste more dry than others. dry red wine good for you

Both groups claim that aroma, tannin and acidity are key components to why a wine tastes ‘dry.’ You Might Be More Sensitive to Tannin Than Your Friends What’s interesting about tannin is that a recent study demonstrated that some people have higher sensitivities to tannin based on the amount of proteins naturally present in their saliva. People with more proteins in their saliva do not feel the drying effect of tannin as much as people with less. best spanish wine listAnother interesting fact is that the taste of tannin is reduced when paired with salty and fatty foods.wine mac os x Acidity Tricks Our Perception of SweetnessA wine that has higher acidity will taste more ‘dry’ than a wine with less acidity. Several producers of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc will leave a couple of grams of residual sugar in their wines because the acidity is so high.

Our Noses Prime Our Sense of Taste Our sense of smell also greatly affects our perception of sweetness. As you can imagine, a wine that smells sweeter will also taste sweeter. Wine varieties are often referred to as ‘Aromatic’ because of their sweet floral aromas. A few examples of this are Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Muscat.Ever find one size is too small and the next size is too large? That's because the chances of every guy fitting perfectly into small, medium, large, and extra large are next to nothing. What if there ... Wine sweetness (or wine dryness) is determined not only by the amount of sugar in a wine, but also by acidity, alcohol content, and the presence of compounds called tannins. Below is an easy to read wine sweetness chart showing most popular varieties of red and white wines, and how sweet or dry they taste. Keep in mind that individual wine types can vary between makers, so this chart should be used as a general reference to help you pick a wine suited to your tastes.

Syrah, cabernet, zinfandel are red grape varieties. This page describes wine styles by variety and production area. If only one variety (merlot, cabernet sauvignon) is mentioned on the label, then the wine is called varietal and is named after the grape with a capital initial (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon). Varietal wines primarily show the fruit: how the wine tastes much depends on the grape variety.Syrah and shiraz are two names for the same variety. Europe vintners only use the name syrah. Food pairings: meat (steak, beef, wild game, stews, etc.) Districts: syrah excels in California, in Australia, and in France’s Rhone Valley. Typical taste in varietal wine: aromas and flavors of wild black fruit (such as blackcurrant), with overtones of black pepper spice and roasting meat. The abundance of fruit sensations is often complemented by warm alcohol and gripping tannins. Toffee notes if present come not from the fruit but from the wine having rested in oak barrels.

The shiraz variety gives hearty, spicy reds. While shiraz is used to produce many average wines it can produce some of the world’s finest, deepest, and darkest reds with intense flavors and excellent longevity. You’ll discover Syrahs of value and elegance by reading my reviews of French wines.The softness of Merlot has made it an "introducing" wine for new red-wine drinkers. Food pairings: any will do. Districts: a key player in the Bordeaux blend, merlot is now also grown in Italy, Romania, California, Washington State, Chile, Australia, etc. It is the fourth wine grape variety in terms of coverage worldwide (after sultanine blanche, airen blanc, and grenache noir). Typical taste in varietal wine: typical scents include blackcherry, plums and herbal flavors. The texture is round but a middle palate gap is common. The Merlot type of wine is less tannic (rough) than Cabernet Sauvignon.Widely accepted as one of the world’s best varieties. Cabernet sauvignon is often blended with cabernet franc and .

It usually undergoes oak treatment. Food pairings: best with simply prepared red meat. Districts: cabernet sauvignon is planted wherever red wine grapes grow except in the Northern fringes such as Germany. It is part of the great red Médoc wines of France, and among the finest reds in Australia, California and Chile. Typical taste in varietal wine: full-bodied, but firm and gripping when young. With age, polyphenols polymerize: the grip fades away. The rich currant qualities of the Cabernet Sauvignon wine change to that of pencil box. Bell pepper notes remain. Another article deals with the health benefits of polyphenols. Vanilla notes if present come not from the fruit but from the oak treatment. They increase review ratings but may overwhelm the varietal taste. Food pairings: all types of meat-based meals, foie gras. Argentine Malbec suits Mexican, Cajun, and Indian dishes, if you insist on having wine with such meals. Districts: malbec has its origins in the French Bordeaux region.

It is grown as côt in the Loire Valley and auxerrois in Cahors. Malbec has also been recognized as médoc noir or pressac again in France. Malbec is widely grown in Argentina, where it is the most popular red grape variety. It is also available in Chile, in Australia, and in the cooler regions of California. Typical taste in varietal wine: malbec’s characteristics vary greatly depending on where it is grown and how it is transformed. Generally it produces an easy-drinking style, well colored wine that tastes of plums, berries, and spice. Malbec is often blended with other varieties such as cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and petit verdot to make Bordeaux style wines. Malbec and some such blends may present some health benefits.One of the noblest red wine grapes. Pinot noir is difficult to grow, rarely blended, with no roughness. Food pairings: excellent with grilled salmon, chicken, lamb and Japanese dishes (notably sushi rolls). Districts: makes the great reds of Burgundy (from Bourgogne, France), and good wines from Austria, California, Oregon, and New Zealand.

Typical taste in varietal wine: very unlike Cabernet Sauvignon. The structure is delicate and fresh. The tannins are very soft; this is related to the low level of polyphenols. The aromatics are very fruity (cherry, strawberry, plum), often with notes of tea-leaf, damp earth, or worn leather. Yet pinot noir is very transparent to the place where it is grown. The staggering range of wines produced makes it pointless to define which personality is the best expression of the variety.Perhaps the world’s most wine grape, making everything from blush wine (White Zinfandel), to rich, heavy reds. Food pairings: very much depends on the freshness/heaviness of the wine; tomato-sauce pasta, pizza, and grilled and barbecued meats. Districts: mainly found in California, zinfandel originates from Italy (where it is called primitivo). Typical taste in varietal wine: often a zesty flavor with berry and pepper. Food pairings: a good choice for Italian and other Mediterranean-style cuisines.